Fireworks, confetti and parties mark St. Louis championship

Fireworks, confetti and parties mark St. Louis championship

October 29th, 2011by JIM SALTER, Associated Press
in News

Fans celebrate after Game 7 of baseball's World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-2 to win the series after barely escaping elimination during Thursday's Game 6.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis celebrated the Cardinals' 11th World Series championship with a party in the streets.

Thousands of fans jammed every street surrounding Busch Stadium Friday night, long before the final out, and stayed long after, as the Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 in Game 7. It was the second championship in six seasons for the Cardinals. The 11 overall is second most to the New York Yankees.

One fan inside the ballpark held a sign that read, "With all these rings we're gonna need more fingers."

Busch Stadium erupted as David Murphy flew out to left to end the game. Red, white and blue confetti filled the stadium as fireworks went off. Players tossed gloves and hugged near the pitcher's mound. Fans, most of them in red, cheered and stomped so loud the floors of the ballpark bounced. Small children of the St. Louis players played in the outfield during the trophy presentation.

"You always dream about hitting the home run to win Game 7, but if you can't be a major leaguer, the next best thing is being at Game 7 when your team wins," said Brad Cohen, 37, a St. Louis County native who now lives in Atlanta. He and his brother, Jeff, 36, now of Chicago, decided this week to meet in St. Louis and were able to nab tickets 30 minutes before the first pitch.

"Absolutely worth the trouble," Brad Cohen said.

St. Louis streets were filled with fans throughout the day on Friday. A record crowd filled the stadium, even as the crowd outside the ballpark grew by the inning as the Cardinals closed in on the win.

There was a heavy police presence both inside the ballpark and out, and people were behaving well, said officer Chris Knight of St. Louis police. There were no immediate reports of looting, rioting, violence or even property damage.

"Everybody's out and about, but we don't have any problems," Knight said.